Richie Wellens confirms major Leyton Orient injury blow after Reading

Richie Wellens explained Sanders' absence. (Image: Getty Images)

Leyton Orient manager Richie Wellens has confirmed that midfielder Max Sanders has suffered another injury setback after the 25-year-old was left out of the matchday squad for the visit to Reading on Saturday afternoon.

It was the only change made by the Os manager as he avoided tinkering with his in-form side that beat Bolton Wanderers last weekend. Ruel Sotiriou started the game in place of Sanders but lasted just 45 minutes and was substituted at half-time with Darren Pratley coming on.

Speaking after the match, Wellens said: "I do like three midfield players in there. We've had this good run of form with Max Sanders playing in there with [Jordan] Brown and [Idris] El Mizouni Max is injured and we had a decision to make - do we put an out-and-out midfielder player?

"We decided to go with Sotiriou who is an out-and-out 10. It just didn't work. The extra midfield player allowed us to win duels. Our physicality showed second half."

Wellens didn't divulge more information as to the extent of Sanders' injury but the club did confirm it was a hamstring problem. The news comes as a blow for the side, who had won their last three league fixtures with the player in the side. Those matches were Sanders' first starts since October as he endures a season hampered by injury.

Reflecting on the game, Wellens added: "It could have gone either way. The first 20 minutes, they were very good and caused problems with their full-backs rotating in and our press being off it. We got lucky going 1-0 up, they were the better time.

"We changed a few things tactically and they just scored as we changed it. Once we made those changes we were pretty good for the last 15 minutes of the first half and pretty dominant in the second half.

"They've got good players here, and when they turn the ball over and allow Wing freedom and Azeez keeps running, as does Smith, they're always a threat. They're a good team, I know they've had a lot of issues but they are fighting for their manager and fighting for their club."